Former Cougar Kilian Zierer Signs with Houston Texans
Story and photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
Former College of the Canyons offensive tackle Kilian Zierer has signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans, becoming the most recent former Cougar to join the NFL's professional ranks.
A key member of COC's back-to-back Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division, Northern League championship teams in 2018 and 2019, Zierer was also a two-time all-conference selection at the left tackle position.
Prior to the 2019 campaign Zierer was named to the College Football America Yearbook Junior College Preseason Starting Lineup, one of just 10 players from CCCAA programs to be included in the preseason designation. He bagan the 2019 season as one of the top tackle prospects in the nation.
A native of Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, Germany, Zierer left COC after just three semesters, earning a 3.73 GPA, an associate degree and a full athletic scholarship to the University of Auburn in the process.
When he arrived at Auburn in spring 2020, Zierer was the third Cougar to transfer to a Southeastern Conference (SEC) school since 2017, following in the footsteps of defensive end Dorian Gerald (University of Arkansas) and offensive lineman Carlton Lorenz (Vanderbilt University).
Zierer received his bachelor's degree in December 2021 and was also named to the SEC academic honor that same year.
During his senior season in 2022, he started every game at left tackle and was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game at season's end. He was also a College Sports Communicators (CSC) academic all-district and SEC academic honor roll selection.
Zierer, who did not begin playing football until he was 16, joins an elite list of former Cougars to be drafted or sign with an NFL team.
Most recently, former Canyons and Oklahoma University star wide receiver Marquise Brown (COC 2016) was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Brown currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals organization.
Other former Cougars who have heard their name called on draft day include former New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end and two-time Super Bowl champion Jason Pierre-Paul (COC 2007), retired defensive tackle Domata Peko (COC 2002-03) who played with the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals during his 15-year career; retired defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga (COC 1999-00); retired running back J.J. Arrington (2001-02) and retired tight end Mychal Rivera (COC 2009).
Pierre-Paul was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 15 overall pick in 2010. The San Francisco 49ers took Sopoaga in the fourth round in 2004, and the Cincinnati Bengals picked Peko in the fourth round in 2006. Arrington went 44th overall in the second round to the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. Rivera was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.
Former Cougars Justin Tryon (NY Giants), Troy Nolan (Houston Texans) and Joey LaRocque (Chicago Bears) who all played on the program's 2004 National Championship Team are also included on that list of draftees.
Several former Cougars have also gone on to sign NFL undrafted free agent contracts.
Included on that list is defensive back Bryan Mills (COC 2018), wide receiver/ kick returner Tim White (COC 2012 & 2014) and veteran offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann (COC 2009), who won Super Bowl rings with both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots as a practice squad player.
Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
—Photo graphic courtesy of Gridiron Imports